Michael Schenker is a German rock guitarist best known for his
tenure in UFO, along with a long career performing with his
solo band. He first rose to prominence as a founding
member, along with his brother Rudolph, of the hugely
successful band, The Scorpions. He then founded the band
UFO in the mid 70s before going on to lead the Michael Schenker
Group in a number of different incarnations. Schenker is
considered by many a legendary figure in the history of heavy
metal guitar.

Michael Schenker was born January 10th, 1955 in Savstedt,
Germany. He began playing guitar at a very early age when
his older brother Rudolph brought home a Gibson Flying V, which
reportedly captured Michael's imagination. His first gig
came when he was 11, playing at a local nightclub with
Rudy and the Scorpions. Schenker's recording debut came
on the Scorpions' first album, “Lonesome Crow” when he was just
17.

The Scorpions went on tour in support of “Lonesome Crow” in
1972, opening up for the upcoming UK band UFO on the German leg
of their tour. Schenker was subsequently offered the
position of lead guitarist in UFO, which he accepted with the
blessing of his brother. Schenker was replaced with Uli
Roth by the Scorpions.

Schenker would go on to write the majority of UFO's major label
debut, “Phenomenon,” released in 1974. His career with
the band was quite turbulent, and he sometimes even walked
off-stage in the middle of shows, causing them to be
canceled. Despite a series of successful albums and
tours, Schenker left the group in 1978. Schenker's career
with UFO attracted serious attention from music critics,
especially those in the guitar community.

Schenker would reunite with his brother in the Scorpions in
late 1978, while the band was recording its classic album,
“Lovedrive,” playing lead guitar on three songs on that album:
"Another Piece Of Meat", "Coast To Coast" and
"Lovedrive". He would go on to tour with the band in
support of the album, but leave the band three months into the
tour following a number of occasions when he could not perform
because of fatigue and alcohol-related problems. He would
then be replaced permanently by Matthias Jabs.

Schenker would go on to audition for Aerosmith in 1979 when Joe
Perry left the band. But he reportedly stormed out of the
audition when some Nazi jokes were made. He was then
reportedly contacted by Ozzy Osbourne about the lead guitar
role in his band after Randy Rhoads died in a plane
crash. Ozzy has said that Schenker wanted too much money,
while Schenker insists that he was offered the gig but chose
not to take it.

Schenker would go on to form his own band, the Michael Schenker
Group (MSG) in 1979. The history of the band is strewn
with incidents and personality conflicts. The band's
original singer, Gary Barden sang on its first two studio
albums, as well as the live album “One Night at Budokan.”
He was fired in 1982 in favor of Rainbow / Alcatrazz vocalist
Graham Bonnet, who recorded the band's third album, “Assault
Attack,” before being fired because he often lost his voice
during shows. Barden was brought back into the fold for
the band's fourth album, “Built to Destroy,” and another live
album before leaving for a second time.

Schenker would then join forces with singer Robin McAuley and
rename the band the McAuley Schenker Group. This
incarnation of MSG would stick around for three albums before
disbanding. From there, Schenker briefly replaced
guitarist Robbin Crosby in Ratt, appearing in the band's 1990
performance on the MTV show, “Unplugged.” Then, in 1995,
Schenker rejoined UFO for their reunion album, “Walk on Water,”
touring with the band for a short time before leaving
again. Schenker would resurrect the Michael Schenker
Group in the late 90s, releasing three more studio
albums. He would also later rejoin UFO for two more
releases.

The early 2000s brought hard times for Michael Schenker.
His wife, after selling off most of his belongings, divorced
him and disappeared with their son, and his manager allegedly
ran off with the bulk of his earnings. Schenker would be
forced to sell three of his prized Flying V guitars to make
ends meet. He would get back on the horse, releasing the
album, “Arachnaphobiac,” in 2003 and supporting it with two
years on the road.

2005 marked the 25th anniversary of the Michael Schenker
Group. Schenker released a new album, “Tales of Rock n'
Roll,” in honor of the benchmark and enlisted the services of
all his former singers for the album. After a
trouble-riddled tour in 2007, which was strewn with canceled
shows and disappointing performances caused by his heavy
drinking, Schenker regained his composure and hit the road in
2008 with Michael Schenker & Friends. With Schenker
now clean shaven and having lost weight many fans commented
that he both looked and sounded his best, with the tour
receiving rave reviews from loyal fans.

Michael started out using a Gibson Les Paul until he broke a
string and borrowed his brother's (Scorpions guitarist Rudolf
Schenker) Flying V. From there, he fell in love with the
50-watt Marshall and V combo.

(Schenker does not use any effects in the studio,
saying he adds the effects later)

*If you have more knowledge about what kind of gear Michael is
using, or has used, please leave a comment below and we will
add it to the bio.

Michael Schenker Discography

Studio Albums:

Scorpions:
Lonesome Crow
Lovedrive

UFO:
Phenomenon
Force
It
No Heavy
Petting
Lights
Out
Obsession
Walk On
Water

Michael Schenker Group:
The
Michael Schenker Group
MSG
Assault
Attack
Built To
Destroy
Written
In The Sand
The
Unforgiven
Arachnophobiac
Heavy
Hitters